By Karen Bong
MIRI, July 11: While other places may encounter problems in helping even Indian or religious schools, such problem does not exist in Sarawak, as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has pledged to assist with another request for upgrading or expanding the newly inaugurated SJK(C) Chiaw Nan.
Highlighting this commitment, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sarawak prioritises education, notably with the GPS government having allocated RM10 million annually for Chinese schools throughout the region.
“We help one another because education is crucial for Sarawak to advance. We must give our children good and proper education, but not spoon feed them, so they can pave a better path for advancing and developing Sarawak in the future.
“I don’t care whether it is Chinese or Malay or Iban or international schools, we help all of them so that these educational institutions and students can thrive,” he said during the SJK(C) Chiaw Nan inauguration ceremony at the school premises at Taman Tunku, Miri, which was streamed live via Ukas Channel, today.
Abang Johari noted that the new school is constructed in an L-shape presently, but the school has requested for additional expansion to become N-shaped.
“The GPS government allocated RM5 million for Chiaw Nan’s construction under the matching grant because we recognised the importance of school infrastructure.
“Under my leadership, three Chinese schools in Sarawak have been relocated so far, which required substantial funding,” he added.
More importantly, he pointed out that the Sarawak Education Department is now empowered under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to approve appropriate projects funded by the Sarawak government.
Abang Johari thus urged Deputy Minister of Entreprenuer Development and Lambir assemblyman Datuk Ripin Lamat to work together with Deputy Minister of Woman and Childhood Developmet and Bekenu assemblywoman Datuk Rosey Yunus to coordinate and plan for the further upgrading of the school.
SJK(C) Chiaw Nan was originally located in Marudi before being relocated to Miri city due to low enrollment of students.
The ceremony also witnessed the handing over of the school from the School Board committee represented by chairperson Datuk Raziah @Rodiah Mahmud to Sarawak Education Department director Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, organising committee chairman cum School Board deputy chairman Dato Hii King Chiong was present. — DayakDaily
